ACMI

“ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) is one of Melbourne’s most interesting and engaging cultural spaces, especially if you’re interested in film, television, games, and digital media. Located at Federation Square, it’s easy to access and fits well into a day of exploring the CBD. The exhibitions are modern, interactive, and well curated. They cover a wide range of topics, from the history of film and television to contemporary digital storytelling and gaming. The displays are visually engaging and easy to follow, making the experience enjoyable even if you’re not deeply familiar with the subject matter. One of the biggest strengths of ACMI is how hands-on it is. There are plenty of interactive sections where you can experiment, watch clips, and explore behind-the-scenes aspects of media production. This makes it especially fun for solo visitors, as you can move at your own pace without feeling rushed. The main exhibition is free, which adds great value, while paid exhibitions are usually well worth it for the depth and quality they offer. The space is clean, well designed, and not overwhelming, even during busier times. Overall, ACMI is a must-visit if you enjoy creative, digital, or pop culture experiences. It’s educational without feeling heavy and fun without being superficial. Whether you spend 30 minutes or a few hours, it’s a rewarding stop and a great example of Melbourne’s cultural side.”

“I came here because of games & moving images whatever (it was paid)(we went to the free one instead) and I left with a full heart & mayhaps a little tear… it got so beautiful & philosophical while being so so simple, just good old storytelling doing the work. I’m talking about the hall from mass medias to social media video cut-to-cuts to the palm projection video of memories. Other than the storytelling philosophical aspect, the other stuff was amazing. The rotating cup animation, the art collecting system that also recommends similar media you can explore later. It’s such a fresh take on the usual, oftentimes boring & static display of museums. Yet it’s not some empty interactive space, flashy buttons for the kiddies. It’s just so good you shouldn’t miss it! [also as a graphic designer, I can’t help but notice the wayfinding icons. They’re nice & consistent. It looks like a design studio/someone who knew design worked on it. Turns out it’s their in-house team!]”

“Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) is always our go-to place during school holidays. The free exhibition, “The Story of the Moving Image,” is absolutely worth visiting. It suits all ages and takes you right back to the basics of light, image, audio, and video in a fun and engaging way. It’s very interactive with plenty of hands-on learning, and my kids happily spend a few hours there every time we’re in the city — especially enjoying the introduction to the gaming world. There’s also a paid gaming experience section, which we haven’t tried yet. Located at Federation Square, it’s easily accessible by trams and trains. Overall, a must-visit place for kids in Melbourne.”

“This place is a must see while on holiday. They have free and paid exhibits. What I REALLY loved were these cardboard discs we were given for free at the entrance. You scan the cardboard discs to each informative piece of art within the exhibit and it saves it onto the code embedded into the disc. You can then take this disc home, login on their website and view everything you scanned for free. This reduced the need to photograph what you wanted to remember, and also encouraged our young kids to scan things and be more interactive with the exhibits.”